As health care entities struggle to guard their data against cyber-attacks, the seriousness of the need was underscored by the fact that even the FBI has trouble protecting its systems. A group of hackers has exploited the flaws of at least three FBI-affiliated websites and leaked thousands of federal and law enforcement agents’ personal details, according to TechCrunch. The hackers infiltrated multiple websites run by the FBI National Academy Association that promote law enforcement training. The sites also support graduates of the FBI Academy through local chapters. Three of the sites were breached and the “personal information has been obtained to be sold on the web.”

The hackers announced they were able to break into the pages and download the contents, which they then uploaded on their own website. In all, they were able to steal around 4,000 unique details. Those include member names, job titles, email addresses (some personal, some government-owned), physical addresses, as well as phone numbers. The hackers also said they have over a million pieces of information on federal agents and are planning to publish more data from hacked government websites in the future. Seeing as this is far from the first security breach to affect federal workers, the government and organizations linked to its agencies may want to think of more ways to beef up their security measures.

Richard P. Kusserow served as DHHS Inspector General for 11 years. He currently is CEO of Strategic Management Services, LLC (SM), a firm that has assisted more than 3,000 organizations and entities with compliance related matters. The SM sister company, CRC, provides a wide range of compliance tools including sanction-screening.